John Olsen’s Opera House Mural

Video clip synopsis – John Olsen’s visual diary reveals the inspiration behind the biggest commission of his career, the Sydney Opera House mural. Year of production - 2008Duration - 5min 30secTags -art, artists, see all tags

About the Video Clip

From the series Hidden Treasures – Inside the National Library of AustraliaThe National Library of Australia is the country’s largest reference library with over nine million items in its collection, including a surprising number of art works. In a new series of Hidden Treasures, Betty Churcher presents an insider’s guide to some of the little known and rarely displayed art treasures held by the National Library. From her unique vantage point, Churcher makes intriguing historical connections between paintings and engravings, photography, manuscripts and artefacts, illustrated journals and diaries. These are fascinating tales about the creative process and the works themselves that offer a tantalising insight into Australia’s culture and heritage.

A Film Australia National Interest Program in association with Early Works. Produced in association with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. With special thanks to the National Library of Australia.

Curriculum Focus

Students observe, research and critically discuss a range of contemporary, traditional, stylistic, historical and cultural examples of artworks. They analyse, interpret, compare and evaluate the stylistic, technical, expressive and aesthetic features of art works created by a range of artists and made in particular times and cultural contexts. They use appropriate arts language and, in the arts works they are exploring and responding to, refer to specific examples. They comment on the impact of arts works, forms and practices on other artworks and society in general.

Background Information

John Olsen’s visual diary documents his progress on the biggest commission of his career, the Sydney Opera House mural. Spanning 10 years from 1972, Olsen’s diary follows the evolution of his famous mural, which was inspired by Kenneth Slessor’s epic poem Five Bells, a tribute to a friend who drowned in Sydney Harbour. Slessor’s own 1937 notebook sits alongside Olsen’s diary, detailing the gradual process of constructing an epic poem. Olsen guides Churcher through the creation of his mural, and the marine world of Sydney Harbour, to reveal another treasure—a hidden corner of the painting rarely seen by the public.

Classroom Activities

Make a list of descriptive words that reflect how you as a class respond to the Olsen mural.

Would you say that the mural tells a story, or is its nature more of an emotional description?

Do you think that understanding the context of the mural is essential to understanding its meaning? Explain your views.

Read Five Bells. You can find a copy of it here. You can read a discussion about the meaning and style of the poem here.
Identify any particular phrases or lines that you can see reflected in the painting.

Imagine that you have been asked to interpret a favourite book, poem or song into a painting. Outline or describe what you might include in your painting.

Summarise in just one or two sentences why the manuscript and visual diary are ‘treasures’ in our knowledge and understanding of aspects of Australian history.